KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Federal Ministers Asad Umar have directed authorities concerned to implement the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by taking strict action against the violators in Sindh province.
A high-level meeting on the third wave of coronavirus and implementation of precautionary steps was held at the Governor House Karachi under the chairmanship of President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday.
The meeting was also attended by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Federal Ministers Asad Umar, Ali Haider Zaidi, Advisor Ministry of Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi,  Senator Saifullah Abro, Member National Assembly J Prakash, Members of Provincial Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khurram Sher Zaman, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Bilal Ghaffar.
During the meeting, Federal Minister Asad Umar gave a detailed briefing to the President on the spread of the third wave of coronavirus, preventive steps taken by the government and import of vaccines.
Asad Umar said that the detection rate was on the rise in the province and the situation of the plague was also worsening at the international level. Most of the countries had started imposing lockdown restrictions again, he added.
Umar said that the spread of COVID-19 in the country was becoming alarming, and the current endemic is more deadly than ever as it is spreading very fast.
There had been a significant amplify in cases of the virus due to which the supply of oxygen to hospitals was now under pressure, he informed.
He further informed that the ratio of serious patients is presently more than 30% as compared to June last year, so the public is being repeatedly appealed to take precautions or they may be forced to lockdown. He also directed to take action against those who do not implement the SOPs.
President Dr Arif Alvi appealed to the people to be very careful as the new wave of COVID-19 is more deadly than ever and now it is spreading very fast.
He said: “The government requires your cooperation once again. Make sure you take precautions because taking just a few safety measures can save the lives of your loved ones and countrymen.”
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said that the consultation process had been ensured with the provincial governments regarding implementation of SOPs and sanctions, adding that the federal government was taking decisions by taking the provincial governments into confidence.
He directed the authorities to strictly implement the SOPs in the province, including at businesses, social gatherings, religious congregations and educational institutions, and take strict action against the violators.
